Elana Goldstein

Elana Goldstein

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 18 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Encino, CA
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Appeals

16000 Ventura Blvd, Suite 1200, Encino, CA

About Elana

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 80%

We represent clients charged with criminal offenses in courts throughout Southern California. We handle a wide variety of cases, including domestic violence, driving under the influence, drug possession and sales, sexual assault, assault with a deadly weapon, firearm possession, grand theft and petty theft, hit and run, vandalism, and child abuse.

19 years

80%
Appeals 20%

We handle criminal appeals for adults and juveniles who are challenging their criminal conviction or guilty plea, We have appeared and argued before the California Court of Appeal on cases involving drug trafficking, assault with a deadly weapon, residential burglary, drug possession and sales, arson, robbery, firearm possession and use, and criminal street gang offenses.

16 years

20%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in California for 18 years

State: California

Acquired: 2007

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Goldstein Legal Office

16000 Ventura Blvd, Suite 1200, Encino, CA, 91436

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Elana Goldstein's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

14 Client Reviews

5 star (14)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (0)

Posted by anonymous | May 28, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Focused, Compassionate, and Highly Capable

Working with Elana Goldstein was a grounding experience during a very uncertain time. Her professionalism, clarity, and calm demeanor brought a much-needed sense of direction. She was always available when it mattered most, and her ability to navigate complex situations with precision and empathy was... incredibly reassuring. I am grateful for her support and expertise, and would not hesitate to recommend her.

Posted by anonymous | June 22, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Professional, Accessible, and Kind - A Knight in Shining Armor

Elana was a godsend for an awful situation my family and I found ourselves in. Thankfully, the case was dismissed before going to trial and the criminal side was closed. Elana was diligent and extremely responsive as we built a defense should things proceed for the worse. In fact, she became a good f...riend throughout the process, and I cannot thank her enough for her kindness and compassion as we navigated an extremely distressing situation. Her kind words and encouragement throughout the ordeal gave me hope and energy to push forward, and that is something rare to find in my opinion. I cannot recommend her enough. Thank you for being our “knight in shining armor,” Elana.

Posted by Raquel | February 9, 2023 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Patience and perseverance

Elana Goldstein is a superior lawyer. She understood my needs and executed them in a timely manner. I recommend her 100%

Posted by anonymous | December 31, 2020 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

My Legal Angel!

Words truly cannot express how amazing Elana was with me, every step of the way. She was truly my angel, both legally and emotionally. Really like a lawyer-therapist combination, all in one amazing person, she was reassuring without over-promising, always uber-responsive and available, and just simpl...y the best as an attorney. She made my legal nightmare basically go away, almost like magic. She just is so amazing in that she knows her stuff and she is ON it like nobody else. A million thank-yous to Elana for all her top-notch help & kindness. Truly an Angel!

Posted by Josh | March 25, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Sweet lady, but shark in court room!

Elana is like a angel. I’m very lucky to have been referred to her. She is very professional and knows her way around the court rooms and legal processes to help you(me). She put in a good amount of work with my case.  I had to email her sometimes late at night and she was always prompt at all my cas...es, on time and ready with evidence to prove my innocence. She was very helpful throughout the case and managed to get my case dismissed after many court dates. If you haven’t hired her you should. Thank you Elana

See All Client Reviews

Elana Goldstein's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Elana
Michael Malk headshot
Michael Malk

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I am very impressed with Elana, and would refer clients to her without hesitation. I'm happy to endorse her."

Robin R. Scroggie headshot
Robin Scroggie

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have watched Elana represent her clients in courtrooms on several occasions. I am always impressed with her, and endorse her without reservation."

Michael Akiva headshot
Michael Akiva

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have sent Elana many clients, all of whom have been happy with her services. I would highly recommend her."

View All Endorsements

No Endorsement Data Available Yet
This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2024

Super Lawyer, California Super Lawyers

2022

Super Lawyer, California Super Lawyers

2021

Super Lawyer, California Super Lawyers

2020

Super Lawyer, California Super Lawyers

2019

Super Lawyer, California Super Lawyers

2017

Rising Star, California Super Lawyers

2016

Super Lawyer, California Super Lawyers

2015

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2014

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2013

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2012

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

Work Experience

2010 - Present

Owner, Goldstein Legal Office

2010 - 2015

Appointed Panel Attorney for Felony Criminal Appeals, California Appellate Project

2009 - 2009

Prosecuting Attorney, Inglewood City Attorney's Office

2005 - 2005

Extern, California Court Of Appeal, Second District

Associations

2012 - Present

California Appellate Defense Counsel

Sample of Legal Cases

People v. D.S.

Murder and attempted murder case reversed on appeal.

People v. Denard

Two prior strike convictions (under California's Three Strikes Law) reversed on appeal in published case.

Felony domestic violence

No criminal charges filed.

Drunk in public in West Hollywood

Criminal charges dismissed.

Child molestation criminal investigation

No criminal charges filed.

Felony assault with baseball bat

No criminal charges filed.

People v. Robert L.

Conviction reversed on appeal

Misdemeanor domestic violence case

Case dismissed.

Felony assault with deadly weapon

Probation with no jail time.

See More Legal Cases

Education

2007

University of California at Davis School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

2003

Univ of California Berkeley

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Publications

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution